Chapter 346: Accusation
Astrid’s POV
“Father,” I whispered, the word foreign on my tongue. I had never called him that before.
It had always been “Alpha Theron” or just “Alpha.” Whenever I call him that, I could always see it in his face how he desired to hear me call him father.
“Father, Father!” I called him repeatedly, hoping he would hear me, but it was too late.
I reached out with trembling hands, brushing the blood-matted hair from his face. His skin was cold, his eyes closed, his features still etched with the dignity of the leader he had been.
My vision blurred with tears that spilled over, unchecked and endless.
“I’m sorry,” I choked, the words barely audible through the sobs that wracked my body. “I’m so sorry, Father. I wasn’t a good daughter. I was so hard on you, so angry. I should’ve… I should’ve forgiven you.”
The words tumbled out in a torrent, each one a dagger to my heart. “I was too stubborn. Too proud. You tried to make things right, and I wouldn’t let you. I thought we had more time… I thought…” My voice broke, and I leaned over him, clutching his hand in mine. It was still, unresponsive.
“I forgive you, Father,” I whispered, my tears dripping onto his lifeless form. “I forgive you. I love you. I need you. Please wake up. Please don’t leave me.”
My chest heaved with sobs, and I buried my face in his shoulder. “I’ll be better. I’ll be a better daughter, I promise. Just… please, come back. I need more time. I need you.”
But there was no response, no flicker of life in his still frame. The realization crushed me, and I let out a raw, anguished cry, my body trembling as I clung to him.
“Father, I’m so sorry,” I sobbed as I called him father as many times as I could even though I knew he couldn’t hear me.
He never had the chance to hear me call him father. I never had the chance to make things right with him.
“I’m sorry father, I promise I will make it up to you. Please, come back. From now on, I will be a better daughter to you just come back.”
I wish I forgave him. I wish I didn’t hold on to my anger so much. I wasted the
short time I had with my father. Now, I cannot bring everything back.
I stroked his face gently, my voice cracking as I spoke. “I love you, Father. I always have, even when I was too angry to say it. Please, don’t leave me.”
But he was already gone.
Suddenly, a new voice broke through my despair.
“Father!” Asha’s cry tore through the stillness like a blade.
I turned my head to see her running toward us, her face pale, her eyes wide with shock and grief. She stumbled as she reached us, collapsing to her knees beside me.
“No, no, no,” Asha murmured, her hands trembling as she reached for his face.
She cupped his cheeks gently, as if afraid to hurt him, even though he was already gone. “Father, wake up. Please, wake up!”
Her cries turned into heart-wrenching sobs as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her even as my own tears fell freely. “Asha… I…”
But I had no words. No comfort to offer.
I slowly stood up, letting her have her time with father. My attention turned to Andros who has been silently standing in front of us, his face carefully composed.
He has been watching us, his face mirroring grief.
Something wasn’t right. My father should have been safe. He had warriors with him, assigned to protect him and Asha. How did he end up alone, vulnerable enough to be killed?
I fixed my gaze on Andros, my voice sharp and demanding. “Andros.”
He lifted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “Yes?”
“How did this happen?” I demanded, my tone cutting through the air like a whip. “Father was supposed to be alive. He was supposed to have evacuated to safety with Asha. What happened to him?”
Andros didn’t answer immediately. Asha looked up at us when she heard my question.
“Andros,” I said again, my voice growing louder, angrier. “Answer me. How did Father die? How did you find him? And how, Andros, did you fail to protect him?”
Asha and Andros met each other’s gaze. Asha looked confused, but she didn’t say a word. Andros averted his gaze first as he looked at me.
“It was too late when I found him fighting a rogue,” he answered
“Too late?” I repeated, my eyes narrowing. “You mean to tell me that Father, one of the strongest Alphas, was easily overpowered by a single rogue?”
Andros’s jaw tightened offended by my question. “Are you accusing me, Astrid? Are you saying that I killed father? That I stood there and watched as he was mercilessly slaughtered by some rogue?”
I fell silent at the weight of his words, but his answer didn’t quell the the storm of doubt swirling in my mind. For me, it seemed more sense that an act of betrayal happened here.
The rogues’ attack had been too precise, too calculated. They had infiltrated the Pack with alarming speed, bypassing even our most advanced defenses.
It was as though they had inside knowledge-information that could have only come from someone close to us.
I took a step
forward, my eyes boring into his. “The rogues knew too much, Andros. They were too prepared. How could they infiltrate the Pack this fast? How could they have known where to strike? Tell me the truth.”
His eyes darkened, a flicker of something unrecognizable flashing in them.”You don’t know what you’re saying, Astrid. How dare you? How dare you stand here and accuse me of such a thing? Do you think would ever betray this Pack? That would ever harm my own father?
“You tell me,” countered, my voice firm and unyielding. “You’re the one
who left the battlefield without a
word. You’re the one who found him.
And now, he’s dead. You were there, Andros. You were the last one to see him alive.”
His expression twisted into something wounded, but I couldn’t tell if it was genuine
or a carefully crafted act, and then he pulled out the book which made me fall
Chapter 347: Wanted Criminal
Asha’s POV
The air was thick with grief, but Astrid’s accusatory words cut through the silence like a blade.
I knelt beside Father’s lifeless body, tears blurring my vision. My trembling fingers clutched his cold hand, my mind struggling to process what Astrid was implying. Betrayal? From Andros?
I glanced at my brother. His face was tight with a mix of anger and hurt, his posture rigid under Astrid’s scrutiny.
He looked calm, yet something about his demeanor felt off. It wasn’t guilt-it was more like a defense mechanism, a mask he wore too well.
Then it hit me a memory. A vivid flash of a conversation I had overheard just a few days ago.
How could I ever forget that unfamiliar stranger and the suspicious conversation that they had.
At that time I didn’t think much of it, but as I remembered the details, I start to wonder if it was all connected to what happened to us.
The date and the time that was mentioned, it all corresponds to the rogue attack. The timing is too perfect to be a coincidence.
I stiffened, my heart pounding against my ribcage. Could it be? Was Andros behind all of this?
I looked back at him, my gaze darting between him and Astrid, who stood resolutely, her accusations relentless.
I couldn’t speak, deep inside I know that my brother would never do such thing, but Astrid’s questions and the conversation that I overhead… I just want to hear my brother’s answers.
And then Andros pulled out the book and recognition flashed on Astrid’s eyes, her anger turning into fear.
“This is the reason why father died,” Andros declared, his voice steady but sharp like a blade.
He turned the book slightly, displaying it for both Astrid and me to see. “This is why the rogues attacked. Why they targeted him.”
My brows knitted together. I couldn’t understand. The book was ancient, its cover cracked and faded, like something had been left forgotten for decades. What could possibly be so important about it?
“What do you mean?” I asked hesitantly, my voice trembling as I tried to understand his accusation.
Andros’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening as he pointed an accusing finger at Astrid. It’s all because of her. Because she’s a monster. An Almega.”He spat the word as though it were poison.
I blinked when I heard the unfamiliar term he spoke. “An Almega? What… what are you talking about?
“A monster,” Andros hissed, his eyes blazing. “Astrid is a monster. She’s a dangerous creature who is destined to kill all of us someday. This book contains all the truth about her, that’s why father risked his life to protect this book.”
My gaze shifted to Astrid. Her face had paled, her lips trembling slightly, but she didn’t deny it.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “That’s not possible. How could you believe what this old book says? There’s no such things as a monster.”
“It is true!” Andros snapped, cutting me off. “She and father has been keeping it as a secret from both of us all along. She is the reason why Father is dead. He risked everything to hide this secret, and the rogues came for it. They came for her!”
I turned to Astrid and our eyes met as she looked at me apologetically, blaming herself for what happened.
I fell speechless. Although they kept a secret from us, I do not see how all of this could be Astrid’s fault.
Father’s death is not on her. It’s on the rogues who killed him and that traitor who helped the rogues and betrayed us.
“Andros,” I began, my voice trembling, but he cut me off with a raised hand.
“I am the Alpha now,” he declared his voice booming with authority. The words
hung in the air like a proclamation, final and unyielding.
I froze, my heart sinking at the weight of his claim. Father’s body wasn’t even
buried yet, and already Andros was taking his place.
He turned his peircing gaze toward Astrid, his lips curling with disdain. “Astrid is no sister of mine,” he spat his voice cold and filled with venom. “She’s an Almega – a monster A murderer who brought ruin to this Pack.”
My eyes shot at Andros in surprise as he shot his accusations without even making an investigation first.
For sure he knows that there is something more to this. Is he not going to find out the traitor first? And what crime did Astrid even commit?
“As Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, I command everyone to kill her!”
The command sent a shockwave to all of us. The Warriors present around us stiffened, their gaze shifting on all of us.
“You can’t do this!” I shouted at him. “Andros, this isn’t right! Father would never
“Father is gone!” he roared, his voice shaking the walls. “I’m the Alpha now and I will not let this pack fall to ruin because of her!”
He turned his attention to the Warriors who remained frozen to the spot. “What are you all doing? Haven’t you heard my command? Kill her! NOW!”
Astrid’s eyes met mine for a fleeting moment as if she was saying goodbye. Before any of us could react, she shifts to her wolf for the
first time, surprising everyone.
IMS
Gasps filled the air as she shifted into her wolf form. But this wasn’t an ordinary wolf.
Astrid’s wolf was enormous, her fur was an otherwordly silver, her eyes glowing in shimmering black.
Her presence was terrifying yet majestic, exuding power that made even an Alpha female as I hesitate.
It’s true….. she is different… an Almega
“After her!” Andros roared, snapping the warriors out of their stupor. “Don’t let her escape!”
The warriors scrambled into action, chasing after Astrid’s massive figure as it disappeared into the shadows.
I turned to Andros, my heart pounding. “Andros stop this!” I cried grabbing his arm. “Take back your command! She’s not a monster – she’s our sister!”
“She’s no sister of ours,” Andros shot back coldly, shrugging me off. “She’s an Almega, Asha. Did you see that monster she turned into? She’s going to kill us all if we don’t kill her
first.”
en FindNovel
“Andros-” I grabbed his arm as I pleaded once again, but he pushes the book to me, cutting me off.
“Read this book, Asha, and you will find out the truth yourself,” Andros gave me one last look before going back to the Packhouse, leaving the book in my hands.
Chapter 348: Traitor
Asha’s POV
I sat in my father’s office, the familiar scent of his presence filling the air-aged wood, leather, and a faint trace of his cologne.
It was both comforting and painful.
My eyes, red and puffy from crying, wandered across the room, lingering on the little things that made it undeniably his.
The neatly stacked books on the shelf, the way his chair was slightly tilted as if he’d just left it moments ago, and the faint indentations on the desk where his hands often rested.
Father. The word hung in my heart, heavy and aching.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to hold onto the essence of him, even
as it felt like he was slipping further away with each passing moment.
My gaze dropped to the book on the desk. Its worn, ancient cover seemed unassuming, but I now knew better.
I had finished reading it moments ago, and its secrets still swirled in my mind, unsettling and confusing.
I looked around the room again, my father’s memory woven into every corner, every object.
My eyes fell on the desk drawers, and a strange curiosity tugged at me. I moved toward them, hesitating for a moment before pulling one open, hoping that I would find anything from my father that could comfort me.
Everything inside it was neatly organized, just as Father always kept things.
In the bottom drawer, something caught my attention — a document, its edges slightly crumpled as if it had been handled recently.
It looked important, the paper heavier than usual, the handwriting unmistakably my father’s.
I pulled it out, my heart pounding as I noticed his signature at the bottom.
Alpha Theron.
The ink looked fresh, as if he had signed it only a day or two ago. I unfolded the document carefully, my breath catching as I read its contents.
“I, Alpha Theron, hereby relinquish my position as Alpha of the Pack to my daughter, Astrid.”
The words hit me like a thunderclap. My eyes widened, disbelief coursing through me. Astrid? Not Andros?
My thoughts spiraled, each question louder and more chaotic than the last.
Did Andros know about this?
The document felt heavier in my hands, its implications suffocating. If Andros knew…
I swallowed hard, trying to piece it all together. If this had been Father’s plan, it made Andros’s actions even more alarming.
Did he know he wasn’t meant to be Alpha? And if he didn’t know yet… what would he do if he found out?
I folded the document carefully and slipped it in my pocket to keep it safe before anyone finds out about it.
I need to talk to Andros.
I had to tell him about the document, about Father’s choice.
If he knew that Father had intended for Astrid to take his place as Alpha, surely he would reconsider his command to kill her.
He would understand Father’s intentions and the sacrifices he made to protect her.
Leaving the office, I hurried through the corridors toward Andros’s room. My heart pounded as I rehearsed what I would say.
When I reached his door, I hesitated for only a moment before pushing it open.
Andros’s room was always unlocked for me; he never minded my presence, and we’d always shared a close bond.
The room smelled faintly of pine, the scent distinctly Andros. It was tidy, as usual, though the bed looked slightly unkempt, as if he’d left in a hurry.
BUMS
I stepped inside, intending to wait for him, but curiosity got the better of me.
I wandered over to his desk, running my fingers over the neatly arranged items.
A stack of books, a framed photo of the two of us as kids, and his favorite silver pen lay on the surface.
As I moved around the room, I accidentally bumped a small trinket off a nearby shelf. It clattered to the floor near his bed.
Muttering a soft curse, I crouched to pick it up.
That’s when I noticed something.
Tucked just beneath the edge of his bed was a bag. At first, I thought nothing of it -Andros often kept his things stored away neatly.
But something about the way it was partially hidden, shoved hastily into the shadows, caught my attention.
Curiosity burned in my chest as I reached for it, dragging the bag out into the light. It was heavier than I expected, and my fingers brushed
against something soft and Crinkly
inside.
I opened the bag carefully, my breath catching as I saw what was inside.
A sachet.
I pulled it out, the faint, earthy scent of herbs wafting into the air. Recognition struck me like a blow.
It wasn’t just any herb-it was a silentbloom, a rare plant known to mask a wolf’s
scent.
My mind raced, my hands trembling as I stared at the sachet.
Why would Andros have this? Why would he want to conceal his scent
Could this mean…? No. It couldn’t be.
But the evidence was there, staring me in the face. This herb, the rogues
2 exactly where to strike, the
the
S surrounding Father’s th-it
all felt too connected.
I shoved the sachet back into the bag, my chest tightening as doubt and fear
churned in my stomach. Andros couldn’t… he wouldn’t…
But the question lingered, heavy and unrelenting. What if he did?
I need to talk to Astrid. I must find her.
Chapter 349: Assistance
Asha’s POV
The smell of freshly baked bread and steaming coffee filled the air as Andros and
I sat at the dining table.
It felt strange, not having father eat with us. Andros is now sitting on the seat where father used to sit.
My gaze flickered to Andros, watching him as he ate, seemingly unbothered. For the first time, I looked at him with suspicion, studying the slight tension in his jaw,
the way his eyes were distant, and his movements sharper than usual.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence.
He set his fork down and looked at me.
“Just tired,” I lied, forcing a small smile.
Andros leaned back on his chair, his expression unreadable. “I’m leaving later today. I’ll take a group of warriors with me to visit the Silvermoon Pack.”
My head snapped up, my stomach twisting. “The Silvermoon Pack? Why?”
He raised an eyebrow at me. as if the answer were obvious. “Astrid could be hiding there. It’s the only place she’d run for protection.”
A chill run down my spine. “And if the Silvermoon Pack refuses to cooperate?”
Andros’s gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a chilling tone. “I would kill whoever helps Astrid.”
A shiver went down my spine at his chilling words. Kill everyone who helps her? He is going to bring warriors with him to annihilate the whole Pack. This isn’t the brother I knew.
Andros had always been gentle, thoughtful. The idea of him ordering mass death so casually made me feel as though I didn’t know him at all.
“Let me handle it,” I offered. I can’t let anything bad happen.
Andros frowned, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “What?”
“You’ve been dealing with so much already. This is all I can do to help,” I answered, forcing my voice to sound steady. “The rogue attack, managing the pack’s losses, taking Father’s responsibilities – it’s a lot. Let me help you with this. Let me go to the Silvermoon Pack.
Andros studied me carefully, suspicion flashing in his eyes. “You were defending Astrid just yesterday,” he said slowly. “Now you’re offering to help kill her? What changed?”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to lie and I had to make him believe it.
“You were right,” I said, forcing my voice to sound resolute. “I read the book, Andros. I understand now what Astrid really is. She’s dangerous. Father’s death… it’s her fault. She has to be stopped.”
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he searched my face. “Are you sure about this, Asha?”
I nodded.
Andros was silent for a moment. Then, finally he leaned back. “Very well! If you are certain, I’ll leave this to you.”
Relief flooded through me, though I kept my expression calm. “I’ll take care of it,” I said firmly.
Reaching out to Alpha Killian would be the best way to find Astrid fast.
Killian’s POV
I sat at my desk, staring at the reports scattered in front of me. My pen hovered
over the paper, but the words refused to come together.
No matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting to Astrid.
I rubbed my temples and leaned back in my chair, exhaling deeply. Get it together, Killian.
I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts of her that seemed to invade my
mind every time I let my guard down.
Perhaps it was just that I missed her. That had to be it.
Before I could lose myself in another string of memories, a sharp knock at the
door brought me back to the present.
“Come in,” I called, straightening in my seat.
The door opened, and my Beta, Ryder, stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
“Alpha,” he said, his tone formal. “We’ve just received visitors from the Shadowfang Pack. Asha, along with several warriors, has arrived.”
I stood up instantly, my pulse quickening. “Asha?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes, Alpha,” Ryder confirmed.
“Is Astrid with them?” I asked quickly, already moving toward the door.
Ryder hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “No, Alpha. She isn’t.”
The brief spark of excitement that had ignited in my chest dimmed, but I didn’t let it show.
“I’ll greet them personally,” I said, striding past Ryder and out of the office.
As I stepped outside the packhouse, the Shadowfang warriors came into view.
They stood in a neat line, with Asha at the forefront. My eyes scanned the group, searching for her-but Astrid wasn’t there.
“Where is Astrid?” I asked immediately, my voice sharp with anticipation.
Asha looked up at me, her expression tired and troubled.
She hesitated before speaking, her voice steady but soft. “Alpha Killian, may I speak with you in private?”
The tone of her request caught me off guard. I nodded, signaling for Ryder to handle the warriors as I led Asha into my office.
Once inside, I closed the door and turned to face her.
“Where is Astrid?” I asked again, this time more urgently.
Asha looked at me, her gaze heavy with something I couldn’t quite place-guilt? Fear?
“Astrid is in trouble,” she said quietly, her hands clasped tightly in front of h
Her words sent a chill through me. I straightened, my heart pounding. “What kind of trouble?”
“She’s being hunted,” Asha said, her voice trembling slightly. “By my brother. He wants to kill her.”
I froze, the words hitting me like a blow. “What?” I said, my voice sharp with disbelief. “Why would Andros belongs to FindNovel
want to kill his own sister t
Asha swallowed hard, her hands tightening into fists. “Because of what she is. Because of the Almega thing.”
I frowned, the unfamiliar word hanging in the air like a threat. “What are you talking about, Asha? What is an Almega?”
Asha explained what it was and I stared at her, my mind racing to piece together what she was saying.
“Astrid is an Almega,” Asha
171
continued, her voice dropping. “My father knew. He kept it a secret to
protect from everyone to protect her.”
QUMS
Chapter 350: Found
Asha’s POV
The pieces began to fall into place, and my chest tightened with realization. Astrid had been hiding something from me all this time.
Her recent actions, her sudden aloofness, as if creating distance between us – it all made sense now.
“She knew,” I murmured, the words more a thought than a question.
Asha nodded. “She did. And she kept it hidden from everyone, even me.”
“She lost control once,” I said quietly, more to myself than to Asha. “I saw her wolf, and she was terrified. I didn’t know what it meant at the time, but now…’
I ran a hand through my hair, guilt clawing at me. “She was carrying this burden alone, and I wasn’t there for her. I let her push me away again because I thought she needed space. I should have known better.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Asha said softly. “She’s been hiding this her entire life. My father protected her, but he didn’t tell Andros or me. And now…”
Her voice faltered, and I looked at her sharply. “What about your father? What did he think about Astrid being an Almega?”
Asha’s expression darkened, and tears welled in her eyes. “My father is dead,” she said, her voice breaking slightly.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What? How?”
“There was a rogue attack,” she explained, her voice trembling. “They ambushed us, and… and he didn’t survive. Andros has taken over as Alpha.”
I stared at her, stunned. Alpha Theron was gone, and Andros was in charge. It was too much to process at once, but one thing stood out above all else.
Andros has all the power to kill Astrid.
“Andros managed to convince everyone by blaming Astrid about our father’s death. He says the rogues came for her, and that it’s all her fault.” She hesitated, then added, “But I don’t think that’s true.”
“What do you mean?”
Asha glanced around the room as if to make sure we were truly alone before leaning closer.
“I think Andros might have betrayed us,” she said quietly. “The rogues knew too much-how to get past our defenses, where to strike. Someone told them. And I think it was him.”
A chill ran down my spine. “You’re saying your own brother betrayed your pack?”
“I can’t prove it yet,” Asha admitted, her voice shaking. “But there’s no other explanation. Andros has been acting strange ever since the attack. And now he’s obsessed with killing Astrid.”
I clenched my fists, anger boiling beneath the surface. “If Andros is the traitor, then Astrid’s life is in even more danger than we thought. We have to find her before he does.”
Asha nods her head as if she had already had the same thought too. “I will help you. Do you know where Astrid could possibly hiding right now?”
“She could either be at the Nightsong Pack or the Crimsonbane Pack,” I answered, a spark of hope flourishing inside me at the thought.
Asha looked thoughtful, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Then we should start with them.”
Before I could respond, a sharp knock on the door broke the moment.
“Come in,” I called, straightening.
Beta Ryder entered, his expression unusually tense.
He held an envelope in his hand, the seal unmistakably from the
Crimsonbane Pack. “Alpha, this nee
m
just
arrived. It’s urgent,” he said, handing it to me.
My brows furrowed as I took the letter, immediately recognizing the intricate crest
on the seal-it was from Alpha Damien.
The fact that he had written to me directly instead of sending a messenger already felt significant.
I broke the seal and unfolded the letter, the familiar handwriting confirming it was from Damien himself.
My eyes scanned the words quickly, my pulse quickening as I read.
“Alpha Killian,
།
Astrid is here at the Crimsonbane Pack. She insisted no one else know where she is, but I cannot in good conscience keep this from
you.
swnew
She needs you. You must come to see her before it’s too late.
Alpha Damien❞
I clenched the letter tightly, my mind racing. She was alive. She was safe-for now.
But the phrasing of Damien’s letter, the urgency in his words, sent a chill through me. Before it’s too late.
“What does it say?” Asha asked, stepping closer, concern etched into her face.
“It’s from Alpha Damien,” I said, my voice low but firm. “Astrid is with him at the Crimsonbane Pack.”
Asha’s eyes widened. “We must go there now and talk to her, we have to explain everything that happened to her.”
I nodded.
“Ryder,” I said sharply, turning to my Beta.
“Yes, Alpha?”
“Prepare the warriors. I’m leaving for
the Crimsonbane Pack immediately,” my tone leaving no room
I
no
ument. t
Ryder nodded and left quickly, the sound of his footsteps fading into the hallway.
As we prepared to leave, a nagging thought gnawed at the back of my mind.
What did Damien mean about being late?